Read Online Evanescent by Carlyle Labuschagne - Free Book Online Page A

kiss of the sun’s rays piercing dawn? Or, would you give up the ability to feel elation, pleasure, nervousness, love, passion, hurt and anger? Yeah, I wouldn’t like to choose either, so just as well it was not a choice and it – just was, I guess. The minute we landed at the military base, Troy changed inside the hangar from his gravity suit to his usual dark, blue denims and gray sleeveless vest. I watched his muscles move like a wave beneath his golden skin on his shoulders, the tight pull in his arms as he tossed the heavy bag to Greg effortlessly. Just before he turned, I caught a glimpse of his lower back muscles flexing beneath his vest, causing a different kind of flush within me. He turned back to lift another bag and his eyes caught mine watching, wandering over his body. I was sure I was blushing, but that sensation was lost on me, too. His gaze held mine intensely. Instantly, my heart caught fire as our eyes locked, lingered and searched each other; pure hunger. It was something I would never be for him – pure, as I wished I could take back everything I had done. I wanted to be new for him, not the broken girl, emotions all a jumble, mind a manic mess. I wished I could be a little taller, because I had seen his eyes linger on my legs all the time. But if they were a little longer, if my bust was a little larger, my shoulders a bit smaller and my stomach a tad firmer, he wouldn’t be able to keep them from me. He would want me all the time. He would be mine forever. I swallowed, being the first to sever the hypnotic gaze between us. I looked down to my feet and back up again as he bent down for another bag. I could see every single curve, bulge and crevice of his hard-packed abdomen muscles flexing with each lift and throw of the heavy bags. He was truly a magnificent creature, I mused to myself. I was sure a smile had crept over my lips. I still couldn’t believe what I had found in him, in my new life, despite all the situations we were in. Even if I’d always be on the run and always fighting, I was living.
    LED lights spilled through the windows into the night, lighting up the edge of the forest. Troy wiped the sweat from his neck and shoulders with a towel. I stared blankly as one bag popped at the seams hitting the ground with a solid poof. It was then I noticed there was no lighting illusion on the moon we had just come from. The sand really was golden. And underneath the brilliant, white glow of the lights, the dazzling colors bounced back. My glare caught each fragment and shade reflecting off each particle, a kaleidoscope dance of amazing colors beaming onto and off the craft’s smooth, mirrored exterior. It was all too unreal, each particle, each dust speck, every fragment of light burst into my vision. I shut my eyes tight at the sudden sting of intense light.
    “Are they okay?” I heard Greg ask in an almost whisper.
    My eyes opened.
    Troy nodded.
    “Are you okay?” he asked Troy.
    “Oh, this?” Troy pointed to his leg. “I’ll be fine.”
    “Your body is not healing is it?”
    “No, but I can do other things.”
    “Like?”
    “Not now.” Troy’s tone was clipped.
    “Ava.” I heard her voice. I knew that voice….
    “Hey.” The redhead beamed as she stuck her head around the corner giving me a shy, goofy smile.
    My face emitted a happiness I never knew I had. “Sam.” I remembered her. But the memory of why lagged a moment behind.
    She climbed the stairs, but hesitated when she saw me flinch at her proximity.
    “Geez, what did they do to you up there?”
    I frowned, biting down on my lip.
    “Come here and give me a hug, you idiot.”
    I nodded into her hair as she wrapped her arms around me. Sam pulled away very quickly, her eyes scrutinizing every inch of me.
    “What in Poseidon’s name are you wearing?” She pulled on the tattered, old dress at the hip with a scrunch of her nose.
    I shook my head. “I have no idea.” My lips pursed.
    “Look, I don’t have long.